The esthetic and cosmetic smile
13
Dental Esthetics and the Golden Ratio This may be a bit esoteric at first, but bear with me as it does become quite relevant. Long before Fibonacci, the Greeks used it to make the Parthenon pleasing to the eye, Leonardo Da Vinci used it in almost all of his later work, and even modern car designers use it.
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Dental esthetics is a rapidly changing field, but like all fields that involve esthetic concerns there are some principles considered to be timeless. One such concept is that of the Golden Ratio as described by Fibonacci in the early 13th century.
Transcript of The esthetic and cosmetic smile
Dental Esthetics and the Golden Ratio
This may be a bit esoteric at first, but bear with me as it does become quite relevant. Long before Fibonacci, the Greeks used it to make the Parthenon pleasing to the eye, Leonardo Da Vinci used it in almost all of his later work, and even modern car designers use it.
Background on the Golden Ratio and the Golden Spiral
The Golden Spiral is best seen in the sagittal section of the Nautilus shell. The Golden Spiral is created by making squares out of the number of the Fibonacci Sequence, starting with a square that is 1x1.
How all this relates to Dentistry
The most useful way in which this relates to dentistry is in the use of the Golden Ratio in the determination of tooth size. For example, the two center teeth in the mouth are called central incisors.
Other Considerations for Creating the Esthetic Smile
Masculine vs. Feminine Smiles
Tooth Size and Shape
Age
Shade (tooth color)
The use of the Golden Ratio is merely a tool in the creation of the ideal esthetic smile. It can provide the dentist with a framework of information from which to start when designing a patient's new smile. Adherence to the Golden Ratio is not the final judge of success as there are many other factors that must be considered.
Masculine vs. Feminine Smiles
Masculine smiles tend to have flat edges on the teeth, prominent central incisors, smaller lateral incisors, a flat smile line, flat canines, etc. Feminine smiles tend to follow the curve of the lower lip, have rounded edges on the teeth, laterals that are more equal in size to the centrals, sharper canines, etc.
Tooth Size and Shape
This may seem a bit peculiar, but generally speaking the size and shape of a person's teeth is directly related to the size and shape of that person's head.
Age
Older teeth tend to have more color to them, and they tend to be worn down a bit. A smile best suited for a 16 year old girl is going to be out of place and esthetically displeasing on a 68 year old woman.
Shade (tooth color)
Translucence- This is the amount of light that passes through different layers of the tooth.
Value- It is the brightness of the tooth from black to white
Chroma- Chroma is usually determined by age and by the specific tooth in question
Hue- Hue is the wavelength of the shade and this determines if a tooth looks more yellow or gray or brown.
Shade (tooth color) continued.....
There are four components that make up the final appearance of a tooth's color.
Subtleties
There are many other subtle factors to consider in the creation of an esthetic smile. Teeth have characteristics like faces that make them unique which must be incorporated for a successful result. There are small irregularities in the shade, there are developmental bumps and ridges even on what generally appears to be a flat surface.
Putting it all Together
The Final Esthetic Treatment must meet the following requirements:
1. It must compliment the functional requirements of the teeth, musculature and the TMJ (jaw joint).
2. It must be in esthetic harmony with the entirety of the face.
3. It must not adversely affect the biological health of the gingiva and supporting bone.
4. It must create symmetry within the mouth and be centered with the face.
5. It must be as conservative as possible.
6. It must bring joy to the patient!
Thankyou
